Apparatus for removing liquids from tanks and the like



H. J. KUTZ Oct. 14, 1941.

APPARATUS FOR REMOVING LIQUIDS FROM TANKS AND THE LIKE 2 sheen-sheet 1 Filed Nov. 21, '1939 w, sfzW/wwwe MQW Oct. 14, 1941. H, J, KUTZ 2,259,383

APPARATUS FOR REMOVING LIQUIDS FROM TANKS AND THE LIKE Filed Nov. 21, 1939 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Patented Oct. 14, 1941 APPARATUS FOR REMOVING LIQUIDS FROM TANKS AND THE LIKE Hugo J. Kutz, Grafton, N. Dak.

Application November 21, 1939, Serial No. 305,544

13 Claims.

This invention relates to apparatus for removing liquids from open tanks or the like, and more particularly for conveniently emptying large tanks such as tank cars.

The common method of removing liquids from such tanks, which are open to atmosphere, is to insert a pipe into the tank from the top, so that it rests on the bottom, and to connect the upper end of this pipe with a suitable pump, so that the liquid may be pumped out.

Owing to the fact that it is desirable to use a relatively large pipe, in order to empty the tank as quickly as possible, there is a considerable amount of liquid contained in the vertical part of the pipe, and, when the liquid level in the tank is lowered to the point where the seal is broken around the lower end of the pipe, and air enters the same, the liquid in the pipe runs back into the tank. Because of this, and also because of the fact that the lower end of a relatively large pipe cannot be made to contact the bottom of a curved tank closely enough to suck up all of the liquid therein, there remains a very appreciable quantity of liquid which it is impossible to remove by the methods heretofore employed. In order to drain the tank of this remaining liquid, it is necessary to open a drain valve at the bottom of the tank. This is more or less dimcult of access, and, in cold weather, is frequently coated with ice and frozen up so that it can only\ be opened with great diiiiculty.

The general object of the present invention is to avoid the foregoing disadvantages, and to provide apparatus by means of which practically all of the liquid in a tank of the character referred to, can be removed by suction through an opening in the top. To this end, the invention contemplates the use, in addition to the relatively large pipe commonly employed, of a relatively small pipe, co-extensive therewith, and the provision of means whereby, after the seal is broken at the bottom of the larger pipe, the application of suction to the smaller pipe is continued until practically all of the liquid has been removed.

Another object of the invention is to provide improved means for supporting the lower end of the pipes in the tank so that, on the one hand, the end of the large pipe may be maintained well above the bottom of the tank so that liquid can freely enter it during the main emptying operation, and, on the other hand, the pipes may be lowered, when desired, so as to bring the end of the small pipe into close contact with the bottom of the tank, so as to suck up the last remaining liquid therein.

In order that the invention may be readily understood, reference is had to the accompanying drawings, forming part of this specication, and in which:

Fig. 1 is an elevational view of my improved apparatus, parts being in vertical section and parts being broken away;

Fig. 2 is a vertical section substantially on the line 2-2 of Fig. 1, looking in the direction of the arrows;

Fig. 3 is a similar section showing the lower part of the apparatus, but illustrating the parts in a dierent position;

Fig. 4 is a view showing a conventional tank car in transverse section, with my improved emptying means applied thereto: and FiFigi. 5 is a plan view of the parts illustrated in Referring to the drawings in detail, and more particularly iirst to Figs. 4 and 5. a usual form of tank car is illustrated at I, and is shown as provided with a dome 2 having an opening 3 at the top communicating with atmosphere, and through which the emptying apparatus, including the usual pipe 4, can be inserted. At the upper end of this pipe is an elbow tting 5, and extending laterally therefrom is the unloadlng or discharge pipe 9 connected as by means of an elbow 9 and swivel joint 9b with a fixed vertical pipe IIl, set in a concrete base I0, and itself connected at its lower end with a suitable pump (not shown). It will be noted that the pipe 9 is arranged to slope downwardly toward the pipe I0. so that any liquid remaining therein at the end of the operation will drain out toward the pump.

By reference to Figs. 1 and 2, it will be seen that the elbow fitting 501s in the nature of a casing or housing to which the pipe l is secured as by welding in such manner that liquid may drain freely from said tting into said pipe.

Surrounding the lower end of the pipe 4 and slidably mounted thereon is a sleeve I I, the lower end of which is slotted as at I2 to provide openings through which liquid may freely enter the same. Secured inside of this sleeve near the top and bottom theneof respectively are a pair of rings I3 and I4, and secured to the pipe 4 within the sleeve is a similar ring I6. A coiled spring I5 surrounds the pipe I inside of the sleeve II and is interposed between the rings I4 and I 6.

A catch Il is pivoted as at I8 to the sleeve Il, and is caused by a spring I'Il to project through an opening I I in said sleeve, so as to engage the ring IB. The upper end of this catch terminates in a handle by` which it may be released.

Inside of the fitting 5 is a discharge nipple 20, rigidly secured thereto as by means of welding. Permanently threaded into the pipe 20 is one member 6 of a. union coupling 1, shown as a wrench coupling, having operating handles 1, and permanently threaded into the other member of this coupling is one en d of a street L 8, to the other end of which the unloading pipe 9 is secured.

Tapping the side of the pipe or nipple 20 and permanently secured thereto as by welding, is the upper end I9b of a relatively small pipe I9, which extends down inside of the pipe 4 and has its lower end I9* terminating substantially at the same point as the lower end 4 of the pipe 4,

but preferably projecting slightly beyond the same, as shown in Figs. 2 and 3. Thus the large pipe 4 and small pipe I9, together with the fitting and nipple 20, are all relatively xed and rigidly connected to form a unitary structure.

'I'he inner end of the pipe or nipple 20 is bevelled off at a suitable angle such as 45, as shown in Fig. 2, and is adapted to be closed by a ap valve 2 I having a disk 22 of soft material, which seats against the end of the pipe. This valve is pivoted at 23 on lugs 24, carried by the pipe 20, and is provided with a tail piece 25 having near its end a notch 26.

An eccentric pin 21 is rigidly secured to a shaft 28 journalled in a. bearing box carried by a cover plate 29, removably secured as by means of a C-clamp 30 to a flange 5a formed on the side of the fitting 5. A stuffing box 3| surrounds the shaft 28 to prevent leakage and to the outer end of the shaft is secured an operating handle 32.

As shown in Fig. 2, the eccentric pin 21 is arranged to bear against the side of the tail piece 25, so that when the handle 32 is swung around,

' the pin 21, acting on the tail piece 25, will tilt the valve 2I on its pivot 23, into the position shown in dotted lines in Fig. 2, thus opening the end of the pipe or nipple 20. At the end of its movement, the pin 21 drops into the notch 26, and since, in this position, the thrust due to the weight of the valve operates in a line passing substantially through the axis of the shaft 28, thevalve is locked and will remain in this position.

It will be noted that the construction above described, including the parts 4, 5, 6, I9 and 20, as well as the valve operating means, provides an absolutely air tight joint between the discharge or unloading pipe and the lift and suction pipes, so that the necessary reduction of pressure in these pipes can be maintained, and air is prevented from entering the pump and being forced into the storage tanks. e

in Fig. 3. This is permitted by the union coupling 1 and swivel joint 9b. As the ring I3 is forced downwardly, it engages and snaps past the catch I1, which then locks the ring down, thus holding the pipe 4 in its lowermost position. At the same time, the handle 32 is operated so as to bring the valve 2I into closed position, as shown in full lines in Fig. 2. This shuts off or interrupts The operation of the apparatus will now be briefly described. The apparatus, including the pipes 4 and I9, and associated parts, is lowered as a unit into the tank until the lower end of the sleeve I I rests upon the bottom of the tank. The

spring I5 is sufdciently strong so that it is able tion, as shown in dotted lines in Fig. 2. Thus,

suction applied to the pipes 9, I0 and 20, by means of the pump, cause a reduction of pressure in both the main lift pipe 4 and the auxiliary suction pipe I9 and will draw, the liquid up through both of these pipes. This will continue until the level of the liquid falls to a point below the end 4 of the pipe 4, and the seal is broken at that point, and air enters the lift pipe. Thereupon, all liquid in the fitting 5, and pipe 4 drains back into the tank. After this happens, the operator pushes down on the fitting 5, thus compressing the spring I5 and bringing the lower end of the pipes 4 and I9 into the position shown communication between the main lift pipe'4 and the discharge pipe 2D, but, since the pump continues in operation, suction continues to be applied to the pipe I9. In other words, the valve 2I shuts oif the pipe 4, but the pipe I9 is connected to the discharge pipe independent of this valve.

Thus, as suction is applied continuously to the auxiliary pipe I9, this pipe serves to suck up and withdraw not only the liquid which remained in the tank below the original level of the pipe 4,

but also the liquid which was formerly contained in this pipe and which flows back into the tank. By reason of the fact that the lower end of the auxiliary suction pipe I9 lies, in its nal position, very close to the bottom of the tank, it will serve to remove practically all of the liquid in the tank.

While I have illustrated a flap valve as controlling communication between the lift pipe 4 and the discharge pipe, it will, of course, be understood that any other suitable form of valve may be employed.

Also while I have illustrated the auxiliary suction pipe I9 as located inside of the main lift pipe 4, it does not necessarily have to be inside, but may extend down along the outside thereof. Preferably, however, in any case, the two pipes are rigidly connected so that they may be inserted into the tank as a unit.

The invention is designed especially for the removal of volatile liquids, such as gasoline, from tank cars, and it is the common practice to provide such tank cars with safety valves to prevent the building up of pressure therein.

What I claim is:

1. Means for removing liquids from tanks and the like comprising a substantially vertical lift pipe adapted to be inserted down into a tank from the top, an elbow fitting at the upper end of said pipe, a substantially horizontal discharge pipe rigid with and projecting into said fitting, valve means in said fitting for controlling the connection between said pipes, and a relatively small suction pipe substantially co-extenslve with said lift pipe and connected with said discharge pipe at a point inside of said fitting but independent of said valve.

2. Means for emptying liquids from tanks and the like, continuously open to atmosphere, comprising a lift pipe and a relatively small, substantially co-extensive suction pipe, said pipes being rigidly united and insertable as a unit down into the tank to be emptied, means for supporting said unit at either one of two different levels, a discharge pipe at the upper end of said two rst mentioned pipes, and connected therewith by an airtight joint, means for connecting a pump to said discharge pipe so as to cause a reduction of pressure in said lift and suction pipes, and manual means, operable at will, for interrupting communication between said lift pipe and discharge pipe, while maintaining communication between said small pipe and discharge pipe.

3. Means for emptying liquids from tanks and the like comprising a pipe adapted to be inserted into a tank from the top thereof, a sleeve sur-- rounding the lower portion of said pipe and projecting beyond the end thereof, so as to engage the bottom ofsthe tank, a. compressible spring acting on said sleeve and of suchv strength as to cause it to resiliently support the end of the pipe inl a xed position above said bottom, the side walls of the4 lower end portion of said sleeve having -openings'to permit liquid to enter the same, and means independent of said pipe for applying suction to the upper end of said pipe while so supported in a xnd position.

4. Means for empty ng liquids from tanks and the like comprising a pipe adapted to be inserted into a tank from the top thereof, a sleeve slidably mounted on the lower portion of said pipe, a spring interposed between said pipe and sleeve and serving to normally maintain said sleeve in a position in which it projects substantially beyond the end of said pipe, the projecting end of said sleeve adapted to engage the bottom of the tank and constituting the sole means for supporting said pipe above said bottom, said spring being compressible to permit the said pipe to be pushed downwardly through said sleeve when j desired, to bring the lower end of said pipe substantially to the end of the sleeve so that it will be closer to the bottom of the tank, means for retaining said pipe in such lowered position, and means for causing liquid to flow up through said pipe when resting in either of its positions.

5. Means for emptying liquids from tanks and the like comprising a pipe adapted to be inserted into a tank from the top thereof, a sleeve slidably mounted on the lower portion of said pipe, a spring interposed between said pipe and sleeve and serving to normally maintain said sleeve in a position in which it projects beyond the end of said pipe, the projecting end of said sleeve adapted to engage the bottom of the tank and thus support said pipe above said bottom, said spring being compressible to permit the said pipe to be pushed downwardly through said sleeve when desired, to bring the lower end of said pipe closer to the bottom of the tank, and means for locking the pipe in its lowermost position,

' with said spring compressed.

6. Means for emptying liquids from tanks and the like comprising a relatively large and a relatively small pipe, rigidly united, and adapted to be inserted as a unit down into a tank to be emptied, means for applying suction to the upper ends of said pipes, means for normally maintaining the lower ends of said pipes well above the bottom of the tank, so that liquid may freely enter both, means operable at will for cutting off the application of suction to said large pipe while maintaining it on said small pipe, and means whereby said pipes may be lowered so as to bring the end of the small pipe closer to the tank bottom to remove the remaining liquid after suction has been cut off from said large pipe.

7. Means for emptying liquids from tanks and the like comprising a relatively large and a relatively small pipe, rigidly united, and adapated to be inserted as a unit down into a tank to be emptied, means for applying suction 'to the upper ends of said pipes, means for normally maintaining the lower ends of said pipes well above the bottom of the tank, so that liquid may freely enter both, means operable at will for closing said llarge pipe,and means for bodily lowering said small pipe so as to bring its end closer to the tank bottom to remove the liquid remaining in the tank after the large pipe has been closed.

8. Means for emptying liquids from tanks and the like comprising a lift pipe adapted to be inserted into a tank from the top thereof, resilient means acting against the bottom of the tank for normally wholly supporting said pipe in a position with its end well above said bottom, whereby said pipe may be bodily lowered against the tension of said resilient means to bring its end closer to the tank bottom, means for holding said pipe in such lowered position, and means vfor causing liquid'to iiow up through said pipe when resting in either of said positions.

9. Means for emptying liquids from tanks and the like comprising a lift pipe adapted to be inserted into a tank from the top thereof, and resilient means normally supporting the end of said pipe well above the bottom of the tank, wherebyv said pipe may be bodily lowered, when desired, against the tension of said resilient means to bring its end closer to the tank bottom, in combination with a vertically disposed, fixed pipe, and a rigid unloading pipe connecting the upper ends of said iixed pipe and lift pipe,

said connecting pipe being constructed to swing in a vertical plane to permit said lift pipe to be lowered.

10. The method of removing liquid from open tanks which comprises inserting int-o the top of the tank rigidly connected, co-extensive large and small pipes, extending vertically almost to the bottom, applying suction to both pipes to cause liquid to be drawn up therethrough until the liquid seal at the bottom of the large pipe is broken and the liquid therein runs back into the tank, and thereafter lowering said pipes and applying suction to the small pipe only, whereby the liquid which has run back into the tank from said large pipe is drawn out through the small one.

11. Means for removing liquids from tanks and the like comprising a substantially vertical lift pipe adapted to be inserted down into a tank from the top, an elbow fitting at the upper end of said pipe, a substantially horizontal discharge pipe rigid with said tting, valve means for controlling the connection between said pipes, and a relatively small suction pipe substantially coextensive and iixedly united with said lift pipe and connected with said discharge pipe independent of said valve.

12. Means for removing liquids from tanks and the like comprising a relatively large and a relatively small pipe substantially co-extensive and fixedly connected so as to form a rigid, unitary structure, said structure being insertable down into the tank to be emptied, a discharge pipe at the upper end of said two rst mentioned pipes and connected therewith, and means for interrupting communication between said large pipe and discharge pipe while maintaining communication between said small pipe and discharge pipe.

13. Means for emptying liquids from tanks and the like comprising a lift pipe and a relatively small, substantially co-extensive suction pipe, said pipes being fixedly and rigidly connected and insertable as a unit down into the tank to be emptied,'a discharge pipe at the upper end of said two first mentioned pipes, said small pipe communicating with said discharge pipe, and means independent of said small pipe for controlling communication between said lift and discharge pipes.

HUGO J. KUTZ. 

